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cnbc.com
Sen. Darline Graham advances to Republican special primary runoff in South Carolina
Progressive Democrats hope to keep their winning streak rolling in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
cnbc.com
EVs dominate China’s car market: 5 takeaways from the country's latest auto sales data
The China Passenger Car Association released data Tuesday showing penetration of new energy vehicles rose in July. Tesla's Model Y remained popular.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Big Tech wants to tap Wall Street's big wallets
After three years of Big Tech splashing out on AI investments, Nvidia is looking to shake up the industry by tapping into Wall Street cash.
bbc.co.uk
Tokenomics: Why making AI pay is tricky
Buyers of AI services are struggling to control costs and sellers are not sure how much to charge.
bbc.co.uk
First 'pounds for pylons' energy bill discount sites revealed
Households living within 1600ft of upgraded pylons will get £250 a year off their electricity bills.
theguardian.com
Households near new pylons to get £250 taken off annual energy bills
Discounts confirmed near more than 40 locations across Great Britain amid biggest upgrade to electricity grid since 1960sHouseholds living near new power pylons will have £250 a year taken off their energy bills as the UK government prepares to push ahead with more than 40 grid upgrade projects across the country.The government has promised hundreds of thousands of homes living within 500 metres of new grid infrastructure a saving of up to £2,500 on their energy bills over 10 years in return for “hosting vital infrastructure” which will help the UK transition away from fossil fuels. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Sun-tanned cauliflowers and knobbly spuds - the heatwave veg that's good to eat
British shoppers should expect to see more wonky vegetables due to repeated heatwaves.
cnbc.com
CoreWeave stock pops 14% as revenue doubles on accelerating AI infrastructure demand
CoreWeave's revenue is surging as the AI boom continues, but the company is also sitting on $35 billion in debt.
cnbc.com
Polymarket makes moves to get house in order before expected boom times for prediction markets this fall
The marketing changes come amid an investigation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission into the company's promotional practices.
bbc.co.uk
Tributes to co-founder of John Pye auction house
A statement issued by the firm said "John lived a fantastic life full of laughter and hard work".
cnbc.com
Treasury yields are little changed as investors await inflation data
U.S. Treasury yields edged higher Tuesday as investors await July's inflation data print amid ongoing Iran tensions.
cnbc.com
Longtime OpenAI executive Brad Lightcap leaves as shake-up at AI lab continues
Longtime OpenAI executive Brad Lightcap announced his departure on Tuesday, the latest in a series of recent leadership shake-ups at the company.
cnbc.com
U.S. oil rises above $83 a barrel as Iran says Strait of Hormuz won't open until conditions are met
U.S. oil had risen as much as 3% earlier in the day after President Donald Trump demanded that Iran pay reparations to the U.S.
cnbc.com
Riot Platforms strikes deal with Anthropic as bitcoin miners shift focus to AI infrastructure
Bitcoin miner Riot Platform has struck a $9 billion, 20-year compute deal with Anthropic
cnbc.com
Why JPMorgan is investing big in the 2028 LA Olympics
JPMorgan is making a nine-figure bet as the Olympics Games' first-ever global banking partner.
cnbc.com
Is betting on elections using prediction markets illegal? Many states are unsure as midterms approach
Twenty-three states have laws banning betting on elections, according to Pew Research. Not every state is sure these rules apply to prediction market trades.
cnbc.com
Trump says NYC pied-à-terre tax 'must be stopped,' eyes federal block
Trump in a Truth Social post called Mamdani's pied-à-terre tax a "dangerous political 'experiment' in New York will destroy" the city and state.
cnbc.com
Democrats clash again in Minnesota and Wisconsin primaries as big midterm races take shape
In Minnesota, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and moderate Democratic Rep. Angie Craig are competing for the nomination to succeed the retiring Sen. Tina Smith.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on AI money in US politics: not the way to hold an urgent democratic debate | Editorial
Amid public concern over the impact of new technology, Silicon Valley’s use of its wealth to influence specific election races is an unwelcome developmentAs the huge societal ramifications of artificial intelligence have become clear, some of the tech industry’s most senior figures have taken to writing thinkpieces on what comes next. The latest to do so is Mark Zuckerberg, who this week published 6,500 words making the case for a laissez-faire approach to AI development. Worrying too much about regulation, Meta’s CEO unsurprisingly opines, could lead to the United States falling behind in the race to own the future.Mr Zuckerberg’s plea for maximum autonomy is, of course, self-serving. Much of his essay – which airily envisions “invention superpowers” for every entrepreneur and “an abundance of jobs in the future” – reads like unadulterated tech-utopianism. But the lobbying at least has the merit of being out there in the open. As midterm elections loom in the US, darker arts are also being used to counter popular concern about what AI will mean for a host of topics, from the labour market to child safety, the environment and cybersecurity. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Will Andy Burnham’s everyday fixes be enough to get the public on his side?
The prime minister’s money-saving policies are popular but they are yet to convince voters he can take on the big thingsIt was last year that Martin Lewis, the money-saving guru, advised the government to find “100 small things that piss people off” and set about sorting them out.That approach has been adopted almost immediately by Andy Burnham since entering office, as he began his programme of “everyday fixes” to tackle problems that can be dealt with through minor policy tweaks. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
To all the betting shops littering our high streets: people power is coming and the odds are against you | Dawn Butler
Too many shops are blighting too many communities. With the rule change I fought for now on the horizon, ordinary people can fight back How much gambling do you want in your high street? Are you happy with all the betting shops, the problems they cause, the effect on your environment?It’s worth asking because for years, local councils have been expected to say yes to new gambling venues, even when communities made clear they did not want them. Now, under new rules announced on Monday, that’s about to change. And about time.Dawn Butler is the Labour MP for Brent EastDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump wants to split the MMR vaccine. Experts say that's unlikely — and comes with consequences
Doctors and other experts say that splitting the measles, mumps and rubella shot has no scientific basis and is unlikely to get off the ground.
bbc.co.uk
Eclipse chasers scramble for glasses as stocks run low
Specialist glasses are all but sold out online ahead of the UK's most significant eclipse since 1999.
theguardian.com
Why the US government is banning Chinese robots – video explainer
The Federal Communications Commission on 28 July announced a ban on humanoid robots from China including the popular Unitree G1 model. The Guardian's technology journalist Nick Robins-Early explains the recent popularity of these trending robots and why the US government says they are a risk to the country's national security Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Watch: U's fans told house prices put players off
At a fans' forum, the director of football reveals high property costs are a "big challenge".
cnbc.com
Manus to return as independent company after China forced Meta to unwind $2 billion deal
Last December, Meta said it planned to acquire Manus for $2 billion, its latest effort to shore up its AI strategy.
cnbc.com
Target appoints its first chief AI officer as big retailers bet on AI
Target announced its first-ever chief artificial intelligence officer on Tuesday as retailers race to take advantage of the AI boom.
bbc.co.uk
Councils to get more powers to stop vape and betting shops, PM announces
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says town centres have been "hollowed out" by decades of decline.
cnbc.com
Ukraine war sparked race for countries to build spy satellites, space-tech CEO says
Governments are ramping up satellite capabilities as space intelligence becomes increasingly critical to modern warfare.
cnbc.com
Pakistan signals progress on U.S.-Iran deal as Washington and Tehran trade reparation demands
Washington and Tehran remain far apart even as both sides talked of winding down regional hostilities.
cnbc.com
Intel upsizes stock offering to $20 billion at $95 per share as AI demand accelerates
Technology giants have shelled out trillions to support insatiable AI demand and the infrastructure buildout.
cnbc.com
Eli Lilly takes weight-loss pill battle global with first Foundayo approval in Europe
Lilly's Foundayo wins U.K. approval, taking its weight-loss pill battle with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy beyond the U.S. market.
bbc.co.uk
France bans unsolicited telemarketing calls
Cold calling is coming to an end in France, with one consumer group calling the ban a "small revolution".
cnbc.com
Wall Street just endorsed Jensen Huang's 'big concept' for AI. What now?
The first three-plus years of the AI build-out have been funded by record amounts of equity and debt issued by leading tech companies. Nvidia has a new idea.
theguardian.com
Axe stamp duty? How Andy Burnham could change property tax
The new PM could bring in revenue for social care or defence with a land levy or by reforming council taxResidential property is the largest store of wealth in the UK, and has long been a target for those who believe homes should be taxed more. Real estate remains a juicy plum for Andy Burnham to pick as he searches for ways to pay for an overhaul of the social care system and higher defence spending, to name just two fiscal priorities. Yet how to tax property, or possibly the land it sits on, has vexed economists and politicians for centuries. Here we discuss the background to the debate and some of the tax options.• This article was amended on 11 August 2026. An earlier version said home occupiers in France must pay the taxe d’habitation; in fact, since 2023 this only applies to second homes. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Zelenskyy warns Putin is preparing for escalation by bringing in North Korean military equipment
His comments come shortly after deadly Russian attacks on cities across Ukraine overnight.
bbc.co.uk
AI agent hacks gym to get its user a spot in pilates class
The incident is being seen as the latest example of the AI tools going to any lengths to complete their tasks.
theguardian.com
The US tried to stop cartel money-laundering. It devastated mom-and-pop businesses instead
Small businesses pay hidden toll after money-transfer rule change to curb illicit activities near the US-Mexico borderLast April, the Trump administration rolled out its latest tool in the fight against Mexican cartels: an aggressive crackdown on money transfers near the US-Mexico border.The administration said that, in an effort to stop money laundering and other illicit activity, it would now require any business providing financial services in the region to report cash transactions over $200. Previously, the amount had been $10,000. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Drought, water rationing and dry rivers: our water crisis is here | Peter Gleick
It doesn’t have to be this way. We know what needs to be doneDisturbing news about our water resources is now constant and unrelenting. In just the past few weeks, media have reported that Puerto Rico is suffering a deep water crisis as severe drought has cut water supplies to thousands. The Rhine and Po rivers in Europe are at record low levels. The seven states sharing the Colorado River in the US are fighting over unprecedented shortages, while its major reservoirs have shrunk to their lowest levels since they were built.Hungary’s only nuclear power plant is on the verge of shutting down because there isn’t enough water in the Danube River to cool it. Toxic chemicals have been found in all English water bodies. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Hotel prices in Europe jump before total solar eclipse
Rooms in Icelandic capital Reykjavík cost double usual rate and Spain also enjoying strong bookingsEurope’s total solar eclipse: the best place to see itHotel prices have surged in key European cities as hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to see the first total eclipse visible from the continent this century.Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, has seen one of the biggest jumps in hotel room prices, being one of the few accessible locations to see the full eclipse before evening on Wednesday. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Hormuz deadlock: Where oil prices could head next as prospects for an imminent deal fade
Oil traders keep clinging to hope that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen. That won't last forever.
cnbc.com
FIFA World Cup 'will never be as profitable' if Infantino is ousted, Trump warns amid global soccer revolt
President Gianni Infantino pushed FIFA's commercialization drive, which culminated in the largest, most profitable World Cup on record
cnbc.com
Hotel giant says ‘growing middle class’ boosted hotel demand despite Middle East hit
IHG reported higher first-half profit as U.S. demand accelerated and Middle East disruption weighed on travel.
theguardian.com
Experts are warning: our AI arms race is putting humanity at risk | Stuart Russell
A recent letter signed by 1,367 researchers and engineers at frontier AI labs – mainly OpenAI, Anthropic and Google Deepmind – points to a dangerous momentIt is fashionable in certain circles to dismiss the catastrophic risks of AI. One often hears that “the real experts” who work on the technology every day are really not concerned at all; that only “doomers” and “luddites” espouse a “fringe” view from a “position of ignorance”; that all talk of potential catastrophe is just “science fiction”.Fortunately, an open letter has been published that lets us hear from the real experts who work on the technology every day, in their own words. And are they worried? Very. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. judge ends graft case against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani
A U.S. federal judge has approved the Department of Justice's decision to dismiss the criminal probe against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani on graft charges.
bbc.co.uk
Mars Bar from 1991 found – and it's 56% bigger than today's
The woman who found the chocolate bar during a house clearance compares it with today's Mars Bars.
theguardian.com
‘A horrible nightmare’: the shocking story of the eBay harassment scandal
Jaw-dropping documentary Whatever It Takes details an aggressive stalking campaign targeted towards a couple whose reporting criticized the tech companyWhen Massachusetts husband-and-wife team Ina and David Steiner launched their reporting careers covering Silicon Valley at the turn of the century, the tech beat was still cozy enough to feel personal. The startups were still emerging from garages, and the journalists covering them were often filing stories from their own kitchen tables. Ebay was still a young online auction company founded on the principle that “people are basically good”.As digital retail took off, the Steiners launched an e-zine called EcommerceBytes, catering to a growing community of small business owners who were increasingly using platforms like eBay to sell their wares. “We talked about this being an opportunity for just average people, disabled people, elderly people to make extra income,” says David of a community that has grown alongside EcommerceBytes, which now has more than 600,000 readers. “We were really excited about that.” Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
The Global Story
Are we entering the Chinese Century, or is the Chinese Dream already fading for some?
bbc.co.uk
Wall Street giants hand Nvidia $500bn to fund boom in AI projects
The money will be used to develop new data centres to house, operate, and cool miles of stacked computer chips that process AI data and actions.
theguardian.com
Nvidia links with Wall Street firms for $500bn AI financing deal
Apollo, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and KKR among those working with chipmaker to fund infrastructureNvidia has struck a deal with six large Wall Street firms to raise more than $500bn (£370bn) to fund the datacentres, chip factories and power stations needed to fuel the artificial intelligence boom.The Nvidia chief executive, Jensen Huang, said on X that it marked “a major milestone for Nvidia and the AI industry”, as he posted a photo of himself smiling and giving a thumbs up alongside finance bosses involved in the deal, including the head of Goldman Sachs, David Solomon. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
More than 10 firms pay up to $100,000 a month for fast access to Truth Social posts
Trump Media expects the controversial service, which launched this month, to provide a new revenue stream, as it posts a quarterly loss.
theguardian.com
Heathrow says need for expansion clear as it loses title of Europe’s busiest airport
Air transport hub in west London reports 7.86m passengers in July, compared with 8.15m for Istanbul’s new airport away from the cityIstanbul airport has overtaken Heathrow as Europe’s busiest airport by passenger numbers, leading the London hub to say its “case for expansion has never been clearer”.Figures published on Tuesday showed 7.9 million passengers passed through Heathrow’s terminals in July, compared with Istanbul’s 8.15 million. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
RBA interest rates: Reserve Bank holds cash rate at 4.35% but threatens more hikes if needed
In a widely expected decision, the Reserve Bank of Australia holds interest rate after three hikes earlier this yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank of Australia has held the official cash rate at 4.35% but warned higher interest rates are “quite possible” even if house prices keep falling.Tuesday’s decision to hold was predicted by economists and financial markets, after three rate rises this year hit property values across the capital cities. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
London Heathrow no longer Europe's busiest airport
Istanbul overtakes Heathrow whose passenger numbers on Middle East routes fell 20.2% year-on-year.
theguardian.com
A question for Burnham as he tours the country: how to reduce the magnetic pull of London? | Peter Hetherington
As someone who has specialised in regional policy, I know the task is huge – not least because there is no plan to ensure prosperity throughout EnglandAndy Burnham is off on his travels this week, aiming to reconnect No 10 and the government with voters and communities across the UK. But just weeks before he set out his stall as prime minister, promising to rebalance the economy with growth in every postcode, a government agency, National Highways, underlined the pulling power of the country’s dominant city-region. It announced that a giant tunnelling machine, 16.4 metres in diameter, “the largest ever used in Europe”, was to take England’s most expensive road under the Thames.The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), so far priced at £10bn-£11bn, is proving to be a contested 14.5-mile venture on the edge of Greater London. Objectors and local councils say it will deliver only short-term congestion relief and destroy ancient woodland and habitats. At 2.6 miles, the road tunnel will be the country’s longest, involving twin-boring for two three-lane highways connecting the M25 in Essex to the A2/M2 in Kent. The government has so far committed £3.1bn for funding the tunnel. It expects the rest from the private sector. We shall see.Peter Hetherington writes for Society Guardian on communities and regeneration Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Consumer confidence at near two-year high as World Cup and UK holidaying lift summer spending
Barclays says survey shows people feel more secure in jobs and have more leeway to spend on non-essentialsConsumer confidence hit its highest level in almost two years in July, according to research that indicated the closing stages of the men’s football World Cup and more people holidaying in the UK raised summer spending.A truce in the Middle East conflict in June and the arrival of a new prime minister in No 10 also gave a lift to consumers after a long period of heightened uncertainty. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Car hire firm told me I was a ‘no-show’ so I lost £185
I was delayed, but I had prepaid through Holiday Autos and had provided my flight number as requestedI booked a car hire at Heathrow through Holiday Autos on a visit to the UK and provided my flight number as requested.My flight was severely delayed, and when I reached the car hire desk, I was told I’d been marked down as a “no-show” and that my car had been rehired. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
School uniform rules must go further, charity says
A Coventry charity opens a uniform bank as the government sets limits on logoed items for pupils.
bbc.co.uk
Families under pressure to find food in summer
Parents are struggling to feed children in the school holidays, with more families using food banks.
theguardian.com
They cannot even flush their toilets: life in east London blocks where taps often run dry
Devons Road estate residents describe months-long ordeal of not being able to wash, clean or cook for much of the dayHundreds in London flats left without regular running water since last yearChristmas Day in east London. Beatrice Asante empties a bag of potatoes into her kitchen sink and turns on the tap. Nothing. She turns it off and on again. Still nothing. What now?Asante rushes out to the only shop that is open, the local Nisa convenience store. She buys several big plastic bottles of water. Enough, she thinks, to make dinner and to last until the taps start running again. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why did Saudi Arabia just spend billions on a video games company? – podcast
Last week Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund and a group of investors spent $55bn (£41bn) on Electronic Arts, the video games company behind the Sims, Madden NFL and Battlefield. Keith Stuart and George Osborn tell Annie Kelly why this soft-power move is worrying many in the industrySaudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, loves a video game. That might explain why Saudi Arabia has borrowed billions to buy Electronic Arts. And that’s just the latest in a long list of ways the Middle Eastern powerhouse has invested in esports.But why would such a powerful government take a risk with video games? As Keith Stuart and George Osborn tell Annie Kelly, it’s part of a pattern of superpowers and authoritarian regimes seeing games as handy propaganda tools. And this is why critics are worried about countries such as Saudi Arabia having ready access to billions of players around the world Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump’s media company, which also owns Truth Social, reports $238m loss
Company also announced a paid service for early access to president’s posts on policies to the social media siteDonald Trump’s media company – which owns the Truth Social platform favored by the US president – posted a $238m loss in the second quarter.Trump Media & Technology on Monday reported that losses in the three months through June came as the company branched into new ventures including crypto. The company’s new chief executive, Kevin McGurn, announced at a conference call about the earnings that after a yearlong effort to expand into online betting and crypto, the company would be refocusing on social media. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'I started in my 20s and made £8,000': Why women are often better investors than men
Women can make higher returns but only about a quarter of UK women have investments, compared with about 40% of men.
cnbc.com
CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: 'Spider-Man' and 'The Odyssey' come courting the massive filmgoer market
More American movie stars have appeared in China this year, reflecting Hollywood's market interests amid political tensions.
theguardian.com
Burnham to give councils more powers to block vape and betting shops
Vape shops in England and Wales to need planning permission while betting shop law change will also apply in ScotlandCouncils are to be given powers to stop betting and vape shops taking over their high streets under new plans announced by Andy Burnham.Local authorities will be able to reject new betting shops and adult gaming centres, while vape shops will be subject to planning permission under plans Downing Street said could be in place from the start of next year. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
Europe's biggest business district in Paris is turning vacant office space into housing
theguardian.com
Water companies circumventing bonus rules? What did ministers expect? | Nils Pratley
Door was left open to such behaviour because the regulator for England and Wales can only use the powers it was given by parliamentThames Water’s £1m payout to finance chief is ‘unacceptable’, says government departmentAnybody who followed the supposed “clampdown” on bankers’ bonuses after the great financial crash in 2008 knew what to expect when water company bosses became a similar target for a bash in the bonus department. We would see the waterbed principle in action: when you push down in one area of remuneration, such as the performance-related stuff, another tends to go up.Back in the day, banks invented “role-based allowances” – salary top-ups – to “compensate”, as they put it, their top earners for being subject to EU caps on bonuses. No executive was seriously inconvenienced by forgoing the chance of an astronomical (but not guaranteed) bonus and getting a smaller (but still hefty) increase in fixed pay instead. Some even preferred greater certainty over what they would take home. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Martin Rowson on the drought and Britain’s water companies – cartoon
Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Jeff Bezos and Liverpool explained
BBC Sport's Sam Harris breaks down the potential new investment of Jeff Bezos into Liverpool.
theguardian.com
From ticket booking fees to shrinkflation, six other ways Burnham could cut cost of living
The prime minister is promising to crack down on ‘rip-off’ business practicesAndy Burnham has announced he will ban fake discounts and make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions in an effort to improve life for UK consumers.In the long run, these so-called “everyday fixes” may not make as much difference to your wealth as increasing mandatory contributions on pensions or capping rents, but they will get rid of some day-to-day frustrations. Here are six other things he could fix while he is in the mood: Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Taylor Farms recalls jalapeno products after salmonella outbreak
Food producer Taylor Farms is recalling sandwiches, sauces and dips across 26 US states after a salmonella outbreak.
bbc.co.uk
Thames Water gave finance boss a £1m signing-on fee
The seven-figure payment was given to Steve Buck as part of package to persuade him to join the troubled utility company.
theguardian.com
Thames Water’s £1m payout to finance chief is ‘unacceptable’, says government department
Utility firm’s payment criticised by Defra and campaign groups, with some urging Andy Burnham to nationalise itNils Pratley: Water companies circumventing bonus rules? What did ministers expect?Thames Water has paid its finance chief a £1m signing fee despite teetering on the brink of a government-handled administration – a decision the environment department labelled “unacceptable”.The utility company revealed that it made the payment last month, in a letter sent last week by Adrian Montague, its chair, to MPs on the environment, food and rural affairs select committee. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Water outage forces Chessington theme park to close
Chessington says all tickets booked for Monday can be used on a future date.
theguardian.com
SpaceX plan for vast rocket launch site on Louisiana coast sparks backlash
Opponents fear Elon Musk firm’s plan to develop 18-mile strip of Pecan Island will badly damage fragile ecosystemPlans by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to build a vast rocket launch site on a stretch of Louisiana’s rapidly eroding coastline have stirred a backlash among some local opponents who fear it will badly damage the area’s fragile ecosystem.A deal for SpaceX to take control of 130,000 acres of coastal Vermilion parish is reported to be close to being finalized, allowing the company to escalate its number of launches, including of its new Starship mega rocket. SpaceX also has ambitions to deploy artificial intelligence datacenters in space, and while some experts have doubts about this, it has submitted regulatory filings to build a constellation of up to a million of them. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It’s very challenging’: how the Duke of Westminster’s farm is taking on the climate crisis
Amid world pressure from heatwaves and fertiliser shortages, billionaire’s business has invested in circular farming and biomethaneThere is a distinctive smell of cow manure in the air at the Duke of Westminster’s dairy farm near Chester. It is a world away from the collection of grand West End properties controlled by the duke that form the backbone of his near £10bn fortune, a decade on from becoming Britain’s youngest billionaire.As part of his 349-year-old Grosvenor empire, Lea Manor Farm on the duke’s Eaton Estate in north-west England has fared better than most dairy farms in recent years. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Consortium advances talks for stake in Liverpool
A group including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos advances its talks to buy about a 30% stake in Liverpool, BBC Sport has been told.
theguardian.com
John Lewis managing director Peter Ruis quits job after less than three years
Surprise departure comes after department store chain’s chair warned of ‘really tough trading conditions’The managing director of John Lewis has quit the job after less than three years in charge of the British department store chain, as the company faces “really tough” trading conditions.Peter Ruis will leave the business in order to “pursue new projects”, John Lewis said in a statement on Monday. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Crew of Zuckerberg yacht did not hear radio call to assist boat, Meta says
Small skiff ran out of fuel off Alaska and was helped by cruise ship even though Meta CEO’s vessel was closerZuckerberg faces questions over why superyacht reportedly declined to help stranded boatThe crew of a yacht owned by Mark Zuckerberg did not hear a radio call for a maritime assist from a small skiff that ran out of fuel off the coast of Alaska, and by the time it did, another nearby ship had already rendered assistance, a spokesperson for the Meta CEO said.The Alaska Beacon news outlet reported that the skiff had issued a call for assistance through the US Coast Guard last week and a nearby small cruise ship, the Wilderness Legacy, towed it into nearby Farragut Bay in south-east Alaska and refueled it. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Meta to open source its most powerful AI model as it takes swipe at OpenAI, Anthropic
Meta launched Muse Glimmer and plans to release Muse Spark 1.2 weights as Zuckerberg pushes for U.S. leadership in open AI.
bbc.co.uk
New school uniform rules won't cut costs, says mum
Michaela Wilson says she has "no idea why schools don't just sell iron-on branded badges".
theguardian.com
Millions in Great Britain could face emergency power cuts at short notice
Exclusive: Grid operator Neso can now respond with rolling blackouts as last resort without need for government powersMillions of households could face power cuts at short notice under new rules to help the electricity system operator avoid widespread blackouts when energy supplies run low.The changes, which come into effect this week, will make it easier for the national electricity system operator to call for rotating blackouts at short notice if power supplies are running short. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Ban on 'subscription traps' brought forward by three months
The prime minister is embarking on a UK tour with a series of announcements aimed at easing living costs.
cnbc.com
The space boom has created a giant mess. Now startups want to clean it up
As Earth’s orbit gets more crowded, companies are betting that cleaning up space junk could become a lucrative new business.
cnbc.com
Myspace eyes comeback as an 'antidote' to social media fatigue — but it may be a long shot
"Excitement about Myspace's relaunch reflects nostalgia for a more analog time, when algorithms were less dominant in our lives," an analyst told CNBC.
theguardian.com
Hastings Direct’s failures forced my family out of our home
A leak beneath our fridge-freezer last winter caused extensive damage but there’s still no functioning kitchenEight months after reporting a leak to our home insurer, Hastings Direct, my husband and I and our two-year-old are still effectively homeless.Last winter, we discovered that an unnoticed leak beneath our fitted fridge-freezer had caused extensive damage to the floorboards of our kitchen/living room. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'You could smell someone' who worked at Raleigh
The company was more than just a employer. For years, it was part of the fabric of Nottingham.
bbc.co.uk
Tech leaders say AI means less work - their staff say they work up to 90 hours a week
Tech companies are not modelling their own claims of the technology giving people more free time.
theguardian.com
The gen Z investors – podcast
Are gen Z the most financially savvy generation of them all? With senior economics correspondent Richard Partington and influencer James BeckettJames Beckett, known as Money Stocker, is in his mid-30s and has investments worth £350,000.The social media influencer talks to Nosheen Iqbal about how he got into the world of finance and his aim to be “financially free” by 45. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Could your tattoo stop you from getting a job?
A quarter of the UK population – including the new prime minister – have at least one tattoo, but they still divide opinion in the workplace.
bbc.co.uk
You could be missing out on £150 off your energy bill - here's how to check
Some people need to ensure they are named on their energy bill before the deadline to qualify for help.
theguardian.com
Cut £175 from energy bills for low-income homes, says thinktank
Resolution Foundation proposes £2bn emergency scheme to help people facing higher costs this winterLabour should draw up an emergency plan to cut energy prices for low-income families by up to £175 this winter, the Resolution Foundation has said.One of Andy Burnham’s first policy announcements as prime minister was to remove VAT temporarily from electricity bills, saving households about £45 a year. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
London mayor orders council to drop plan to ban new pubs and bars in Soho and West End
Exclusive: Sadiq Khan urges Westminster council to adopt ‘positive vision of economic growth’ of nightlifeSadiq Khan has ordered Westminster council to scrap a policy that would ban new pubs and bars from opening in Soho and the West End of London.This comes after the Guardian revealed the council’s new licensing policy asks pubs to stop customers from standing up while consuming beverages, which it calls “vertical drinking”. The policy is under consultation and also asks pubs to have table service rather than allowing orders at the bar. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘I’ve definitely lost followers’: influencers face backlash over Meta ‘pervert glasses’ content
Using ‘spy glasses’ made by Facebook owner leads to floods of negative comments, say content creators It was hardly an offensive video. Amid the buzz of the Tour de France finale, Oliver Hooson filmed himself whipping up a delicious-looking flat white for a fellow cycling enthusiast. But after posting the footage on social media, the comments that soon rolled in were a real shock. “PERV,” read one. “Out here pushing creep glasses,” said another. His mistake? Documenting the moment with Meta’s “spy glasses”.Despite being marketed as the latest must-have gadget, Meta’s smartglasses, which can record video footage while being worn, have faced a vicious backlash, particularly relating to concerns about surveillance. There are widespread fears about the glasses being used to film people, especially women, without their consent, and the resultant footage being posted on social media. This has earned them the label of “pervert glasses”, and content creators, no matter how they are used, have faced a flood of negative comments for deploying them. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Like being in prison’: the ship crews stuck in Gulf since February
US-Iran war has stranded up to 20,000 seafarers, mostly Indian and Filipino crews, with none knowing when the nightmare will endThe panicked crew of a cargo ship broadcast a distress signal late on Monday night from their location in the strait of Hormuz. About 20 nautical miles north of the coast of Oman, the Minoan Pioneer bulk carrier was hit by an unknown projectile, causing a blackout in the engine room and a fire in the accommodation area.The crew scrambled to put out the blaze and called for help from nearby vessels. When they managed to disembark from the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged ship on Tuesday morning, they realised the third engineer was missing. Days later, he is yet to be found. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Watch The Odyssey for free online’: scam targets film fans with fake streaming sites
Those tempted to access fake websites run risk of phishing scams and having computer infected with malwareThe Odyssey is the hottest release this summer and you have been looking forward to seeing the much-acclaimed adaptation of Homer’s epic ancient Greek poem. But you have been unable to go to the cinema, so when you spot an ad to watch online, you jump at the chance.There are positive reviews posted on the site so you decide to sign up. Although it asks for your bank details – which is unusual for a “free” trial – you are so eager to watch the blockbuster you input your details. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Raw images, no filters: Why MySpace fans want it back as relaunch hinted
Fans and creators say a revived MySpace must feel personal, not algorithm-driven.
bbc.co.uk
Is football AI-proof? Why tech investors wanted a slice of the World Cup
What was the thinking of the investors backing the now-canned plan, and are such proposals in the future inevitable?
theguardian.com
Google DeepMind enters a new era as co-founder Demis Hassabis shifts AI role
Observers express concern that the division has lost its independence and commercial reality has taken overWhen Sir Demis Hassabis said AI had brought the world to a “pivotal moment in human history” last month, he knew another big change was imminent.This shift was closer to home. The Nobel prize-winning head of Google DeepMind, Google’s AI unit, announced this week he was relinquishing his day-to-day duties as chief executive and becoming chair. He is also taking on the role of chief scientist at DeepMind’s parent, Alphabet. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Can Harvey Nichols find its way back to being Absolutely Fabulous again?
Mike Ashley says it’s in a ‘death spiral’ but a refocus on design could be what the department store needsSuch was the buzz around Harvey Nichols in its 90s heyday that the department store was regularly name-checked in Absolutely Fabulous, with Edina and Patsy’s frequent retail therapy trips to the store reflecting its position at the heart of the fashion industry at the time.How times change. These days Harvey Nichols is a business in trouble, one that has not turned a profit since the pandemic. Pre-tax losses were £35.3m in 2024. The retail chain – comprising the the original store in Knightsbridge, London, plus stores in cities including Bristol, Leeds and Manchester – was put up for sale in June by its current owner, Sir Dickson Poon, with Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group and Next bidding to take control. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Train operators to crack down on ‘donutters’ and other digital ticket cheats
South Western and GTR announce fightback after move away from paper tickets increases fare dodgingThere is more than one way to commit fraud and, for some rail travellers, it has been as simple as a couple of taps on their phone as their train approaches its destination.That telltale last-minute purchase of a digital ticket – for the shortest journey that will allow them to bleep through the gates, regardless of how far they have travelled – is one of a number of illegal wheezes that train operators are trying to eliminate, with the enthusiastic backing of the government department that will directly oversee most of England’s rail services when they are renationalised next year. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
How a 90-second power outage sparked chaos for rail commuters
The incident raised questions about how a disrupted power supply can have such a widespread impact.
bbc.co.uk
Goodwin considers selling part of defence business
The firm is a key supplier of components to UK and US frigate and submarine programmes.
bbc.co.uk
Meta fined $567m in largest child safety ruling against social media giant
The ruling is in addition to $375m in fines Meta was already ordered to pay in the case, for a total of $942m.
bbc.co.uk
What do people want from Argos?
As Sainsbury agrees to sell Argos for £120m, we ask people if they still shop there, and what the new owners can do to compete with big online retailers like Amazon.
bbc.co.uk
Why airlines are warning over lithium-ion batteries
The airline industry wants passengers to be careful when travelling with lithium ion batteries.
bbc.co.uk
Argos is getting a makeover - but can it attract new shoppers?
The retailer has been around for 50 years but struggled to compete with newer rivals such as Amazon. Can its new owners turn it around?
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
Why is global trade proving so resilient despite the tariffs and trade restrictions?
bbc.co.uk
How tech is helping in the battle against wildfires
Tech is being used to watch for wildfires but firefighters are still needed to put them out.
bbc.co.uk
The cost of being single – and how friends are teaming up to beat it
Many singles face extra costs for housing, bills, food and holidays but there are ways to ease the burden.
bbc.co.uk
'I feel like I dug my own grave': The workers caught in the AI transition
AI is reshaping the Philippines' outsourcing industry, raising questions over the future of the industry.
bbc.co.uk
Zinc dresses and ice creams - how to survive a heatwave wedding
The wedding industry is facing last-minute costs to cope with the heat and October bookings are up.
bbc.co.uk
India wants to join the strawberry superpowers
Indian strawberry farmers rely on varieties imported from the US and Europe, but that could change.
bbc.co.uk
The Chinese robot army transforming the UK's retail industry
Britain's weak productivity growth and labour shortages are creating an opportunity for China's robotics firms.
bbc.co.uk
How cow showers and fans help farmers keep cattle cool
Dairy farmers are using cow showers and fans to protect cattle as hotter summers hit milk production.
bbc.co.uk
Is it time to stop using glue and labels on paper?
Labels and adhesives can prevent paper from being recycled but there's new tech aimed at changing that.
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
The 20-somethings betting big on tech stocks
The BBC hears from people about the risks and rewards of investing in technology shares.
bbc.co.uk
This farmer wanted to quit the cocaine industry - he couldn't
Colombians who grow cocaine's raw material bemoan a lack of support to help them switch crops.
bbc.co.uk
Is tracking your food purchases good for your health?
Food tracking apps are popular, but are they a good way to make us eat a healthier diet?
theguardian.com
AI and artists can click – a new manifesto for modern creativity
The UK is both an epicentre of global creative industries and a budding AI powerhouse. Here’s how it can balance support for creatives while also embracing technological changesWhat does it mean to be a creator in today’s modern world when artificial intelligence is reshaping relationships between humans and technology?That’s one critical question the UK creative industry has been asking itself as AI rips up traditional conventions on copyright, ownership, effort, and originality. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
bbc.co.uk
How the High Street became a window on our political instability
High Streets have declined in recent years. What does this tell us about the UK?
bbc.co.uk
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
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